Five Tips to Overcome Dental Fears

For some patients in Mountain View, CA simply walking through the door of our dental office can be a struggle. They have lived with a fear of the dentist, whether it was the sight, sounds or even smell of the office. When it comes to preparing for your dental treatments and procedures at Smile By Design, there are a number of calming techniques you can do to relieve your dental anxiety and bring about a more relaxed and comfortable experience. Also, if necessary, we have a few sedation dentistry techniques to help you out.

Discuss Your Fears and Schedule an Early Appointment

For some patients, it helps to discuss their fears before moving forward with a treatment. If you will be undergoing a dental procedure such as a wisdom tooth removal or a tooth extraction, please let Dr. Shen and our staff know how we can make your visit more comfortable. We can also schedule you for an early appointment, so that it’s out of the way as soon as possible in the morning time.

Listen to Music or an Audiobook

While you’re heading to our office or sitting in the waiting room, listen to music or an audio book while you wait. This can be especially helpful for patients who are unnerved by the sounds of a dental office. During your appointment or consultation, feel free to ask Dr. Shen or our friendly staff if you can listen to your music or audio book while you’re in the chair.

Squeeze a Stress Ball

If your hands get clammy or you have an overall sense of mild unease while you’re in the chair, bring a stress ball with you. You can squeeze it any time you feel anxious and let the stress ease out through your muscles.

Painless Procedures

Many patients with dental anxiety come into our office with a fear of the dentist because they’re afraid that their treatment will be painful. Rest assured that a majority of our procedures will be pain-free, as they usually occur on the surface of your teeth and gums. If more invasive treatments are needed, such as a filling or root canal, we utilize a series of local anesthetics to numb that area so all you feel is a gentle pressure instead of pain.

Sedation Dentistry Options

As mentioned above, it’s not unusual to meet a patient who struggles to walk into the door or sit in the chair due to their heavy anxiety. At Smile by Design we have a few sedation dentistry options to help you feel relaxed and comfortable in the chair.

Oral Conscious Sedation consists of a few pills that are consumed prior to your appointment, so that by the time you reach our office, you’ll feel calm, but conscious and able to answer the dentist’s questions.

IV Sedation is sedation administered through the arm in an IV. It has similar properties and effects like oral conscious sedation, but has the added bonus of the patient being unable to recall the procedure or treatment.

Please be aware that for both sedation dentistry options, you must have a family member or friend with you to transport you to and from our office. Due to the effects of the sedation, you will not be able to operate a vehicle.

Contact Us About Your Dental Fears

If you have dental anxiety or a deep fear of the dentist, don’t let your fear get in the way of getting the treatments you need. It can be costly to your health and your wallet if you postpone treatments and procedures that are direly needed. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shen and discuss your dental fears. We’ll work with you to find the best solution to relieve your dental anxiety.

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Patient Testimonials

I had 4 fillings done by Dr. Donian Shen this week. She is incredible, full of energy and very knowledgable. She explained pros and cons of all the procedure she was about to do, gave me options to choose from.I had a very huge filling to do which was so close to the nerve. She spent an hour to fix it (other dentist would have spent 15 min on just on filling) but she made sure the filling stick so there would be no leaking. She had done layers of fillings and in between lazer dryined and what now. She is a pro in my opinion

Asli F. Mountain View, CA

Coming here was such a great experience. I have no complaints! My teeth are cleaned with care and the staff are very friendly. Dr. Shen knows exactly what she is doing.

Rolland R. San Ramon, CA

I lived in Antioch and I took me quite long time to go to Dr. Shen's clinic if you know the fact that the higher way 4 (from Hillcrest to Somersville) is the most congested route in bayarea and ranked 27th in US as I heard from KGO this morning. Anyway, my three kids are happy to visit her office instead of two clinics we visited close to our home. Do not ask me why and they just be happy with her and we just booked another appoint in the coming spring break.

Genez Antioch, CA

I was introduced by my friend to Dr. Shen's dental office two years before. There is one tooth was in very bad situation, I asked several dental offices they gave me same suggestion that was remove away. I fortunately got in Dr. Shen office, she was so skillful and took three times office visit, made my this bad tooth got survived. I am really very satisfy with Dr Shen and her office.

Ping Y San Francisco, CA

It has almost been one year since my last review and I am still nothing but pleased with Dr. Shen and the staff at her office. One thing I would like to add to my last review is that Dr. Shen places a great deal of importance on education. My previous dentist was very good at telling me what I should and should not do to maintain good oral hygiene, but never bothered to explain to me why I should do these things. This has not the case with Dr. Shen.

Conor E San Jose, CA

I had a really painful toothache and Dr. Shen scheduled me right away. I was so grateful that they understood my pain and wanted to fix me up immediately. This is a dentist that really cares!

Jane.J Davis, CA

I fell and slammed my tooth into the concrete, I was terrified of losing my tooth, blood was flowing. Yuck! Dr. Shen fit me in as emergency, and stabilized my tooth. As a result of Dr. Shen's extreme efforts I was able to save my tooth! I highly recommend Dr. Shen!

Contact Smile By Design

Dr. Donian Shen and Smile by Design

At our practice, Dr. Shen provides a comprehensive array of general, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments. The care and comfort of you and your family are our highest priorities, and we hope to speak with you soon.